Device for moving mattresses and other large objects

ABSTRACT

A carrying device and method are disclosed, the carrying device including at least three longitudinal straps, each of the plurality of longitudinal straps having a first end and a second end. A plurality of lateral straps can extend transversely to the at least three longitudinal straps, wherein the plurality of longitudinal straps and the plurality of lateral straps are secured together to form a carrying net having a first end corresponding to the first ends of the plurality of longitudinal straps and a second end corresponding to the second ends of the plurality of longitudinal straps. A first handle can extend from the first end of the carrying net, and a second handle can extend from the second end of the carrying net. An object can be placed within the carrying net and the handles can be lifted to lift the object.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This applications claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/273,367 filed on Oct. 29, 2021 and entitled “DEVICE FOR MOVING MATTRESSES AND OTHER LARGE FURNITURE,” such application being incorporated herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for moving large objects.

More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a device for moving larger and more cumbersome objects, including but not limited, pieces of furniture like mattresses, mirrors, table tops, pictures, art, mechanical or rigid bed frames, headboards, footboards, persons, animals, etc. Conventionally, when moving furniture, these items are carried manually by hand. Because of their size and shape it can be awkward to support and maneuver such devices simply by gripping these items with the mover's hands.

Some furniture carryings are currently in existence which include one or more straps that can be placed under the furniture item, the straps having handles or arm cuffs that allow the user to lift the furniture by the handles to facilitate moving the furniture. However, it can be difficult to balance or maintain the position of the furniture on the straps, which can cause the furniture to dislodge or slip-off from the device and/or damage the furniture, which is undesirable. This is particularly true when turning corners or going up and down stairs. Additionally, conventional strap systems create focalized points of pressure along the length of the furniture which can damage the furniture, and particularly the internal mechanics of mattresses. Other furniture carryings include a bag made of solid plastic, cloth or other suitable material which can be pulled up around the furniture and carried via handles. Such bag carryings are difficult to load furniture in, are size restrictive, and are difficult to clean.

What is needed then are improvements in furniture moving devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a device for moving furniture including a plurality of longitudinal straps, each of the plurality of longitudinal straps having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of lateral straps extending transversely to the plurality of longitudinal straps. The plurality of longitudinal straps and the plurality of lateral straps are secured together at each juncture of a longitudinal and lateral strap to form a carrying net or sling having a first end corresponding to the first ends of the plurality of longitudinal straps and a second end corresponding to the second ends of the plurality of longitudinal straps. A first handle strap can extend from the first end of the carrying net, and a second handle strap can extend from the second end of the carrying net. The device can be laid out in a generally flat orientation on the ground and a piece of furniture, such as a mattresses, mirrors, table tops, pictures, art, mechanical or rigid bed frames, headboards, footboards, etc. can be placed within the carrying net. Multiple users/movers can lift the carrying net via the handles which effectively folds or wraps the carrying net up against the side of the furniture, and the movers can lift and carry the furniture via the device.

The use of longitudinal and lateral straps on the carrying net or sling can provide improved support for items being carried by the carrying net. In some embodiments, at least one middle longitudinal strap can extend generally along a center portion of the carrying net. The longitudinal strap can help provide direct support along a length of the furniture object being moved which can help prevent localized stresses on the furniture from lateral support straps causing damage or undue pressure on the sides of the furniture. Additionally, side longitudinal straps can be positioned on opposing side of the middle longitudinal strap. The handles can be oriented such that as the handles are lifted, the side longitudinal straps can be folded up against the sides of the furniture to help provide lateral stability to the furniture as it is being carried.

Additionally, in some embodiments, each end of the carrying net can include an auxiliary handle strap that can allow a user to have different leverage points when lifting the furniture with the carrying net. For instance, a longer first or top handle can be grabbed when it is beneficial to have the furniture closer to ground to carry the furniture for instance under doorways or an interior of a home or building, and a second shorter handle can be used to raise the furniture higher to give the user more clearance at their feet when walking with the furniture in the carrying net, for instance when carrying items up stairs. Additionally, when the carrying device is used while carrying items up stairs, the upper mover carrying the furniture can use the longer handle so that the upper user doesn't have to bend over as far to lift the furniture via the carrying device, while the lower mover can use the shorter auxiliary handle so the lower mover doesn't have to lift the handle as high on the user to clear the stairs. Thus the primary and auxiliary handles can be beneficial to both movers in certain lifting operations, for instance where items need to be titled and lifted at an angle, such as on stairways or to maneuver through more confined spaces such as hallways and doorways, and particularly for taller items.

Numerous other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review of the following drawings and description of a preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a carrying device of the present disclosure shown in a flat orientation.

FIG. 2 detailed view of several junctures between longitudinal and lateral straps of the carrying device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a side of a mattress being positioned on the carrying device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a side view of the mattress of FIG. 3 being lifted by the carrying device.

FIG. 5 is a detailed side perspective view of the mattress of FIG. 4 showing the primary and auxiliary handles on the carrying device.

FIG. 6 side view of the mattress and carrying device of FIG. 4 being carried up a flight of stairs.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the carrying device being used to carry a flatter and thinner piece of furniture such as a mirror.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that are embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific apparatus and methods described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing, for the sake of clarity. In addition, positional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” etc. refer to the apparatus when in the orientation shown in the drawing. A person of skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus can assume different orientations when in use.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5 , one aspect of the present disclosure is a carrying device 10 for moving furniture including a plurality of longitudinal straps 12, each of the plurality of longitudinal straps having a first end 14 and a second end 16, and a plurality of lateral straps 18 extending transversely to the plurality of longitudinal straps 12. In some embodiments, at least three longitudinal straps 12 and at least three lateral straps 18 can be utilized. The plurality of longitudinal straps 12 and the plurality of lateral straps 18 are secured together, for instance by sewing, welding, adhesives, etc., to form a carrying net 20 having a first end 22 corresponding to the first ends 14 of the plurality of longitudinal straps 12 and a second end 24 corresponding to the second ends 16 of the plurality of longitudinal straps 12. In some embodiments, the plurality of lateral straps 18 includes first and second end lateral straps 18 a positioned on the first and second ends 22 and 24 of the carrying net 18, respectively, and at least one middle lateral strap 18 b positioned between the first and second end lateral straps 18 a. In some embodiments, the carrying net 20 can include at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more middle lateral straps 18 b.

In some embodiments, the plurality of longitudinal straps 12 and lateral straps 18 can be sewn and cross woven together to form the carrying net 20. Cross woven straps means that longitudinal straps 12 are woven in an alternating under, over, under, over, etc. fashion through at least some of the sequential lateral straps 18 from one end of the carrying net 20 to the other. The sewn and cross woven pattern can help provide increased strength and resilience to the carrying net 20 when carrying a piece of furniture. In some embodiments, the carrying net 20 can include a plurality of holes 31 formed between adjacent longitudinal and lateral straps, which can allow carrying net 20 to be more easily cleaned by a spray hose, a damp cloth or any other cleaning device.

In some embodiments, the plurality of longitudinal straps 12 and lateral straps 18 are cross stitched together at each intersection of the longitudinal and lateral straps to form the carrying net. As shown in FIG. 2 , the cross stitch can include showing a perimeter stitch 60 around the perimeter of the cross over sections between the longitudinal straps 12 and lateral straps 18, with one or more cross or diagonal stitches 62 extending across the perimeter stitch. Such stitching patterns can help provide strength and durability to the carrying net 20. In other embodiments, the longitudinal straps 12 and lateral straps 18 can be spot welded, adhered, or otherwise secured together by any other suitable method in a cross stitched type pattern, including but not limited to the patterns shown in FIG. 2 .

In some embodiments, the longitudinal straps 12 can extend substantially parallel to one another, the lateral straps 18 can extend substantially parallel to one another, and the lateral straps 18 can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal straps 12 to form a substantially rectangular lattice of straps. However, in other embodiments, the longitudinal straps 12 and lateral straps 18 can be placed in varying orientations or angles with respect to one another, with the longitudinal straps 12 generally extending along or in a direction of the length 21 of the carrying net 20, and the lateral straps 18 can extend in extending along or in a direction of the width 23 of the carrying net 20, the length 21 being longer than the width 23.

In some embodiments, the length 21 of the carrying net 20 is greater than or equal to 5 feet and the width 23 of the carrying net 20 is greater than or equal to 2.5 feet. In some embodiments, the length 21 of the carrying net 20 is greater than or equal to 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, or 8 feet. In some embodiments, the width 23 of the carrying net 20 is greater than or equal to 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4 feet.

A first handle 26 can extend from the first end 22 of the carrying net 20, and a second handle strap 28 can extend from the second end 24 of the carrying net 20. The device 10 can be orientable in a generally flat orientation on the ground and a piece of furniture 30, such as a king, queen, full or twin mattress, large or sizeable mirror, mechanical or solid bed frame, glass table top, dining table tops, headboard, footboard, painting, etc. can be placed within the carrying net 20. As shown in FIGS. 4-7 , multiple users/movers can lift the carrying net 20 via the handles 26 and 28 which effectively folds the carrying net 20 up and against the side of the furniture 30, and the movers can lift and carry the furniture 30 via the device 10.

The use of longitudinal and lateral straps 12 and 14 on the carrying net 20 or sling can provide improved support for items being carried by the carrying net 20. In some embodiments, at least one middle longitudinal strap 12 a can extend generally along a longitudinally oriented center portion of the carrying net 20. The middle or central longitudinal strap 12 a can help provide direct support along a length of the furniture 30 or object being moved which can help prevent localized stresses being produced on the furniture from lateral support straps 14 causing damage to an edge of the furniture 30 supported by the carrying net 20. In some embodiments, multiple middle longitudinal straps 12 a can extend along a longitudinally oriented center portion of the carrying net 20 to provide additional support along the supported edge or side of the furniture positioned against the carrying net 20 during a moving operation, in order to help further distribute the weight of the furniture across multiple middle longitudinal straps.

In some embodiments, two middle longitudinal straps 12 a can be positioned centrally between the first and second side longitudinal straps 12 b, the two middle longitudinal straps spaced apart from one another by a separation distance 15. In some embodiments, the middle longitudinal straps 12 a are spaced less than or equal to 12 inches apart from one another. In some embodiments, the middle longitudinal straps 12 a are spaced less than or equal to 8 inches apart from one another. In other embodiments, the longitudinal straps 12 a are spaced less than or equal to 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 inches apart from one another. The separation distance 15 can be sized such that at least a portion of each of middle longitudinal straps 12 a can be positioned under the furniture object 30 when it is being carried in the carrying device 10. For instance, in mattress with a 12-14 inch thickness, the separation distance 15 can be less than or equal to 12 inches, 8 inches, 6 inches, etc. such that both straps can be positioned beneath a mattress being carried on its side, as shown in FIG. 4 .

Two side longitudinal straps 12 b can also extend along lateral edges or sides of the carrying net 20. The side longitudinal straps 12 b can fold or bend upwards when handles 26 and 28 are lifted, such that the side longitudinal straps 12 b can extend along sides of the furniture 30 during a moving operation. The side longitudinal straps 12 b can provide stability on the sides of furniture 30 during transport to help prevent the furniture 30 from tipping within the carrying net 20 or sling when carried. In some embodiments, handles 26 and 28 can be connected to the ends 14 and 16 of the two side longitudinal straps 12 b such that when the handles 26 and 28 are lifted they produce a lifting force on the ends of the side longitudinal straps 12 b to lift the side longitudinal straps 12 b against the furniture and provide tension to the two side longitudinal straps 12 b to help provide a lateral or side retention force on the furniture during a moving operation. In some embodiments, the side longitudinal straps 12 b can be symmetrically spaced about the one or more middle longitudinal strap or straps 14, such that the middle longitudinal straps 14 can be centrally located within the carrying net 20. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 , spacings between successive side and central longitudinal straps 12 b and 12 a respectively can be substantially equal. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 , the spacing between central longitudinal straps 12 a and adjacent side straps 12 b can be larger than the spacing between adjacent central longitudinal straps 12 a, in order for the longitudinal side straps 12 b to extend higher up on the sides of the furniture 10 for additional side support.

In some embodiments, the first and second handle straps 26 and 28 are each handle loops extending from respective ends 22 and 24 of the carrying net 20 and connected to opposing lateral sides 32 a and 32 b of the carrying net 20. In some embodiments, the device 10 can further include a first auxiliary handle strap 34 extending across or within the first handle loop 26, and a second auxiliary handle strap 36 extending across or within the second handle loop 28. In some embodiments, the first and second auxiliary straps 34 and 36 can extend across the first and second handle loops 26 and 28, respectively, while in other embodiments, the first and second auxiliary handles 34 and 36 can also be connected to the first and second ends 22 and 24 of the carrying net 20 directly. In some embodiments, the auxiliary straps 34 and 36 can be oriented to help retain furniture items 30 within the carrying net 20 when the primary handles 26 and 28 are used to carry the furniture item 30, the auxiliary straps 34 and 36, for instance when lifting objects up a flight of stairs at an angle, the auxiliary straps 34 and 36 can act as a stop-gap for the person at the bottom going up and help prevent the object from sliding off of the carrying net 20, or towards the primary handles 26 and 28.

The first and second auxiliary straps 34 and 36 can allow a user to selectively hold the device 10 via different sets of handles, which can provide different leverage points or carrying heights for the furniture 30 during a moving operation. For instance, if a mover needs to move the furniture through a lower doorway, the main handles 26 and 28 can be utilized such that the furniture 30 can remain relatively low to the ground or tilted to pass through the doorway without having the movers uncomfortably lean down to place the furniture object in a desired position. Once the doorway is cleared, the movers can grab the auxiliary handles 34 and 36 to lift the furniture higher and make it easier for the movers to walk while carrying the furniture 30.

Additionally, auxiliary handles 34 and 36 can allow movers when moving furniture 30 up and down stairs, or on uneven surfaces, to grab different handles to provide better leverage during moving up and down the uneven surfaces. For instance, as shown in FIG. 6 , the “bottom mover” 52 on the stairs 54 can grab the auxiliary handle 34 and 36 on their side of the furniture 30, and the “top mover” 54 on the stairs can grab the main handle 26 and 28 such the bottom mover can lift the furniture 30 higher without having to use as much arm strength, and the top mover 54 can keep the top end at a lower position and pull items upward without having to bend as much at the back while carrying the furniture item 30 up the stairs 54.

In some embodiments, in addition to the handles 26 and 28 and auxiliary handles 34 and 36, the carrying device 10 can include on or more lateral handles disposed adjacent or on the side longitudinal straps 12 b, to allow addition users to provide a lifting force on lateral sides of the carrying net 20.

In some embodiments, the straps 12, 18 and handles 26, 28, 34, and 36 are made from a cross woven plastic, resin, synthetic, fabric, or cloth material. The cross woven material forming the carrying device 10 can provide increase strength and durability. In some embodiments, the straps 12, 18 and handles 26, 28, 34, and 36 can be made from a woven polyster similar to a “seatbelt” type material. Such material is strong, durable, and easy to clean, which can provide significant advantages the use of the material for the carrying device 10. In one embodiment, a low coefficient of friction material can be used to make the carrying net 20 easier to clean. The material can provide scratch or tear resistance while providing sufficient strength to carry heavier furniture items. A cross woven material can also make the device 10 easy to clean and durable against heat and sun.

In some embodiments, a non-wicking “weldable webbing” can be utilized which includes a tightly woven polyester (PET) webbing fully coated and impregnated with thermo-plastic vinyl (PVC). Such material can achieve high strength welds using hot air, hot wedge, or high frequency welding techniques, it can be bonded using vinyl-solvent adhesives, or as a textile product, it can be sewn.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6 , another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of carrying a mattress, the method including the steps of providing a carrying device 10 including: two side longitudinal straps 12 b at least one middle longitudinal strap 12 a extending between the side longitudinal straps 12 b, each of the side and middle longitudinal straps 12 respectively having a first end 14 and a second end 16; and a plurality of lateral straps 18 extending transverse to the plurality of side and middle longitudinal straps 12, wherein the side and middle longitudinal straps 12 and the plurality of lateral straps 18 are secured together to form a carrying net 20 having a first end 22 corresponding to the first ends 14 of the longitudinal straps 12 and a second end 24 corresponding to the second ends 16 of the longitudinal straps 12. The device 10 can include a first handle loop 26 extending from the first end 22 of the carrying net 20, a first auxiliary handle 34 positioned within the first handle loop 26, a second handle loop 28 extending from the second end 24 of the carrying net 20; and a second auxiliary handle 36 positioned within the second handle loop 28. The method can include placing a piece of furniture 30 on the carrying device 10 with the piece of furniture 30 positioned on top of the middle longitudinal strap 12 a; and lifting the first handle loop 26 and/or the first auxiliary handle 34 and lifting the second handle loop 28 and/or the second auxiliary handle 36 to lift the piece of furniture 30 via the carrying device 10.

In some embodiments, the method can further include laying the carrying net 20 of the carrying device 10 in a substantially flat orientation before the piece of furniture 30 is placed on the carrying device 10; wherein the side longitudinal straps 12 b are forced against lateral sides of the piece of furniture 30 when the respective handle loops 26 and 28 and/or auxiliary handles 34 and 36 are lifted to lift the piece of furniture 30 via the carrying device 10.

In some embodiments, the lifting step can further include lifting the piece of furniture 30 at an angle up a flight of stairs by: lifting the first end 22 of the carrying net via the first handle loop 26; and lifting the second end 24 of the carrying net via the second auxiliary handle 36.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful DEVICE FOR MOVING MATTRESSES AND OTHER LARGE FURNITURE, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrying device for moving objects comprising: at least three longitudinal straps, each of the plurality of longitudinal straps having a first end and a second end; a plurality of lateral straps extending transversely to the at least three longitudinal straps, wherein the plurality of longitudinal straps and the plurality of lateral straps are secured together to form a carrying net having a first end corresponding to the first ends of the plurality of longitudinal straps and a second end corresponding to the second ends of the plurality of longitudinal straps; a first handle extending from the first end of the carrying net; and a second handle extending from the second end of the carrying net.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second handles are each handle loops extending from respective ends of the carrying net and connected to opposing lateral sides of the respective ends of the carrying net; and the device further comprises: a first auxiliary handle extending laterally across the first handle loop; and a second auxiliary handle extending laterally across the second handle loop.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of longitudinal straps and lateral straps are cross stitched together at each intersection of the longitudinal and lateral straps to form the carrying net.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the carrying net includes a plurality of holes formed between adjacent longitudinal and lateral straps.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the longitudinal straps, lateral straps, and handles are made from a cross woven plastic, resin, or synthetic material.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the longitudinal straps, lateral straps, and handles are made from a woven polyester material.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the carrying net is orientable in a flat orientation.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least three longitudinal straps includes a first side longitudinal strap, a second side longitudinal strap, and two middle longitudinal straps positioned centrally between the first and second side longitudinal straps, the two middle longitudinal straps spaced apart from one another.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the middle longitudinal straps are spaced less than or equal to 12 inches apart from one another.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the middle longitudinal straps are spaced less than or equal to 8 inches apart from one another.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least three longitudinal straps extend substantially parallel to one another and the plurality of lateral straps extend substantially parallel to one another.
 12. A carrying device for moving objects comprising: a carrying net having a width and a length, the carrying net including: two side longitudinal straps extending along the length of the carrying net on opposing sides of the width of the carrying net; at least one middle longitudinal strap extending along the length of the carrying net between the side longitudinal straps, each of the side and middle longitudinal straps having a first end and a second end; and a plurality of lateral straps extending transverse to the plurality of side and middle longitudinal straps, wherein the side and middle longitudinal straps and the plurality of lateral straps are secured together to form the carrying net having a first end corresponding to the first ends of the longitudinal straps and a second end corresponding to the second ends of the longitudinal straps; a first handle loop extending from the first end of the carrying net; a first auxiliary handle positioned within the first handle loop; a second handle loop extending from the second end of the carrying net; and a second auxiliary handle positioned within the second handle loop.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the side longitudinal straps are symmetrically spaced from the at least one middle longitudinal strap.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one middle longitudinal strap further comprises two middle longitudinal straps spaced apart from one another a distance of 12 inches or less.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the length of the carrying net is greater than or equal to 5 feet and the width of the carrying net is greater than or equal to 2.5 feet.
 16. The device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of lateral straps includes first and second end lateral straps positioned on the first and second ends of the carrying net, respectively, and at least one middle lateral strap positioned between the first and second end lateral straps.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of lateral straps includes at least three middle lateral straps.
 18. A method of carrying an object, the method comprising the steps of: providing a carrying device including: two side longitudinal straps; at least one middle longitudinal strap extending between the side longitudinal straps, each of the side and middle longitudinal straps having a first end and a second end; and a plurality of lateral straps extending transverse to the plurality of side and middle longitudinal straps, wherein the side and middle longitudinal straps and the plurality of lateral straps are secured together to form a carrying net having a first end corresponding to the first ends of the longitudinal straps and a second end corresponding to the second ends of the longitudinal straps; a first handle loop extending from the first end of the carrying net; a first auxiliary handle positioned within the first handle loop; a second handle loop extending from the second end of the carrying net; and a second auxiliary handle positioned within the second handle loop; placing an object on the carrying device with the object positioned on top of the middle longitudinal strap; and lifting the first handle loop and/or the first auxiliary handle and lifting the second handle loop and/or the second auxiliary handle to lift the object via the carrying device.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: laying the carrying net of the carrying device in a substantially flat orientation before the object is placed on the carrying device; wherein the side longitudinal straps are forced against lateral sides of the object when the respective handle loops and/or auxiliary handles are lifted to lift the object via the carrying device.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the lifting step further comprises: lifting the object at an angle up a flight of stairs by: lifting the first end of the carrying net via the first handle loop; and lifting the second end of the carrying net via the second auxiliary handle. 